(57) A binder composition for nonwoven fabrics which comprises

(a) a fugitive base salt of a phosphate ester surfactant or a carboxylate surfactant,

(b) a latex comprising a vinyl acetate-ethylene-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid interpolymer colloidally suspended in water, the interpolymer containing about 0.5 to 7.0 weight percent olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and sufficient ethylene to provide the interpolymer with a glass transition temperature of from about -30 to +20°C, and

(c) a polyvalent metal complex compound comprising a polyvalent metal ion and counter ions or ligands which hinder interaction of the polyvalent metal ion with the carboxylate and phosphate groups of the surfactant and interpolymer at room temperature, but at elevated temperature permit such interaction because the counter ions or ligands are expelled or are replaced by the anionic group of the surfactant and interpolymer.

Nonwoven fabrics, particularly diaper innerliners, bonded with such binder compositions possess good dry and wet tensile strengths and good low rewet properties.